7/29/2008 2:22:00 PM Thar's Gold in Them Thar Hills Yavapai County’s mines getting a second look
Most of the recent mineral exploration and interest from investors is coming is focused on existing known deposits. Old claims in the many mining districts have been changing hands of late as the price of precious metals reach record levels.
VVN/Steve Ayers
The rich deposits in Jerome were formed by volcanogenic, massive sulfides, ores formed from deep ocean vents emitting concentrations of sulfides and minerals released from the earth’s crust. It is believed that other rich VMS deposits are waiting to be discovered in Yavapai County.
The rising value of precious metals is raising the interest of commercial mining companies in Yavapai County's famed mineral wealth.
Over the last couple years, several mining companies, mineral exploration companies and speculators who feel mines are a good investment, have been purchasing claims and mineral rights throughout the county.
Most of the deposits drawing interest are ones that produced during the county's great mining boom around the turn of the century. However, new exploration techniques are improving the odds of finding some previously undiscovered rich ores.
In 2006, American Copper Corporation of Vancouver, Canada, purchased several claims on Squaw Peak south of Camp Verde.
A preliminary report on the first phase of drilling shows the presence of high-grade copper-molybdenum-silver deposits, including a 30-foot thick deposit that assayed as high as one percent copper and 13.7 ounces of silver per ton.
Last month, Hunt Gold Corporation of Florida purchased several claims in the Cherry Creek mining district, 10 miles southeast of Jerome.
Although they have yet to present a detailed exploration plan, according to a recent press release they now have a large enough portfolio of claims to begin the financing for an "aggressive exploration policy."
Freeport McMoRan, formerly Phelps Dodge, continues to inventory its copper holdings in Jerome. CaNev Resources recently acquired an estimated 300,000-ounce gold deposit near Yarnell.
A feasibility study of the Sheep Mountain Mine in southern Yavapai County showed it could be profitably mined as long as the price of copper remains above $1.50 and molybdenum above over $12 per pound.
"We have seen a four-fold rise in the price of copper, 10 times in uranium and 15 times in molybdenum. We have good prices for gold and silver but not what we have seen in other metals.
"Nevertheless, there is a real interest in Arizona's minerals," says Nyal Niemuth, chief mining engineer with the Department of Mines and Mineral Resources.
For the last two years, Arizona has ranked first nationally for non-fuel mineral production. Last year the state produced $6.7 billion in a variety of minerals, primarily copper.
Historically Yavapai County has been known for both gold and copper.
Since the first gold was discovered near Prescott in 1863, the county has produced approximately 3.4 million ounces, or just over 20 percent of the 16 million ounces of gold found so far in Arizona. More than 1.5 million ounces was produced as a by-product of the copper mine at Jerome.
The rich ores found in Jerome were formed by what geologists call a volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit.
The same hydrothermal process that forms "blue smokers," sulfide and mineral rich vents found on both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean floor today, formed the VMS deposits beneath Jerome -- only the Jerome ores occurred over one billion years ago in a long extinct ocean.
Recently, a company called the Exploration Syndicate Inc. conducted aeromagnetic surveys of central Arizona including sites in the Verde Valley, Agua Fria near Cordes Junction and Bagdad, looking for possible VMS deposits.
Aeromagnetic sensors towed behind aircraft allow geologists to look beneath the earth's surface and make educated assumptions of what lies beneath
According to Niemuth, the company is currently on the ground investigating possible VMS "targets" seen from the air and looking at possible acquisitions.
"When VMS deposits are found they are relatively small compared to other kinds of copper and mineral deposits," Niemuth says. "But they are typically very rich in copper, zinc and other precious minerals. Maybe with some serious looking and new techniques we'll get lucky and find some more."
Of the 70 known VMS targets discovered in Arizona, 48 have gone into production. Most of them are in Yavapai County.
Niemuth cautions that all that glitters is not gold, at least as far as bringing known deposits to production.
"The truth is in the details," he says, "It is often difficult to tell what kinds of deals are being transacted. Shell corporations and speculators can often cloud the real picture."
Nevertheless, between 2004 and 2007, Niemuth estimates the number of mining claims in Arizona grew from 25,600 to 38,000, a 50 percent increase.
The question, he says, is if or when the claims and exploration will turn into production.
"How long or if some of these properties will reach production is uncertain," says Niemuth, "It could be years or decades. There are many factors controlling the market for precious metals."
Opportunities remain for prospectors
By Steve Ayers
Staff Reporter
1863.
Think of it as central Arizona's equivalent to California's 1849
That was the year in which Joseph Walker, Pauline Weaver, Henry Wickenburg, Jack Swilling and Abraham Peeples, among others, first unlocked the rich mineral wealth hidden in Arizona's rugged central mountains.
A spirit for adventure, quest for wealth and a deeply human attraction led them to search for the soft and shiny metal -- the same desires that lead modern day prospectors.
With the price of gold lurking around $1,000 an ounce, that same spirit, quest and attraction is leading more and more people out to the hills and creeks to try their luck.
According to Harold Allen, president of the Arizona Gold Prospector's Association, weekend prospecting is growing rapidly.
"I have never seen membership like this year, with people joining. In fact in the last two years. And it's all because of the price of gold going up," Allen says.
Allen says that many of the new members are from out of state and come here and prospect on their vacation.
The problem for most people is that someone else owns the good mining claims in Arizona.
However, there are ways for the average person to go out and enjoy gold prospecting with some degree of certainty that they may actually find something.
One way is to join an organization like the Arizona Association of Gold Prospectors or the Gold Prospectors Association of America. These organizations have claims they work collectively. There is a membership fee.
For residents here in Yavapai County, however, there is a unique opportunity. It's called Lynx Creek Mineral Withdrawal Area.
Surrounding Lynx Lake and extending both upstream and down, the Forest Service-managed area offers an opportunity to prospect in one of Arizona's richest places gold discoveries.
In April 1863, a lesser-known prospector by the name of Sam Miller wandered up Lynx Creek along with four other men.
While some of the party went hunting, Miller reportedly washed out $4.80 worth of gold in his first pan. Over the year, Lynx Creek gave up more than $1 million in gold.
The Forest Service allows prospecting within the area, but limits equipment to gold pans, metal detector, shovels and picks.
Lynx Creek Mineral Withdrawal Area is located off of Walker Road, east of Prescott off State Route 69. Follow the signs to the Lynx Creek Recreational Area.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Article comment by:
Cynthia Jones Heesaker
My ancestors owned gold mines in Prescott, yavapi county. My ancestor is John Samuel Jones born in Wales and died in Prescott. I have been to Prescott and to the mines as a young girl with my father, Douglas C. Jones. In fact my father was considering purchasing the mines from a gentleman in or near Prescott. I have some letters/correspondence from this man in my files. I think it is marvelous that gold may be coming up from them thar hills once again.
cynthia jones heesaker
